Stanbury's Lord of the Manor is jetting in from the USA next month to try to save two threatened village schools.

Wealthy American sapphire miner Tom Lee bought the title 'Lord of Stanbury' for £13,250 at an auction in December 1996. Now he has vowed to do all he can to help Stanbury's 53-pupil first school and to keep Oldfield first school open. If the closure threat is not lifted Lord Lee is threatening to convene a 'Manor Court' to overturn Bradford council's decision.

His Lordship runs Celtic Resources, North America's biggest sapphire and emerald mining company. He went into action after receiving Keighley News cuttings at his home in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, detailing the council's proposals to close all middle schools in favour of a primary-secondary school structure. Under the new proposals, the council intends to turn Stanbury School into a 100-pupil primary school and to close Oldfield School.

We spoke to Lord Lee at his home in Michigan this week. He told us: "I take great interest in the school because it plays a multiple role in the community. Bradford should leave the school alone. If it doesn't, I am fully prepared to convene a court with the power to overturn Bradford's decisions."

Lord Lee has been in regular contact with Stanbury head-teacher Peter Morley and has spoken to a number of parents who are delighted about their trans-Atlantic hero.

But Labour's education committee chairman Cllr Jim Flood is dubious about the Lord's claims to power. He told us: "I think his Lordship may be a little detached from the real issues, as he doesn't live here. But I would welcome him to come to Bradford to discuss them in greater depth."

Stanbury head Peter Morley says: "I think it's really nice that Mr Lee is supporting our school. He has even written to education minister David Blunkett praising our school."

In March, Lord Lee was appointed vice-president of the Worth Valley Conservative Association, which covers Oldfield. Chairman Rasjid Skinner and Lord Lee are currently researching the Lord's powers to hold a collective Honour Court made up of Lord Lee, parents and other representatives.

Lord Lee has pointed out that Bradford education officials would be invited to attend the court and put forward their case - 'possibly to deaf ears'. He is very keen to find the Lord of Oldfield - if he can find out who he is - to aid his cause, though he thinks the school can still be saved without him.

Mr Skinner says: "The least this will do is force the council to look at the powers of medieval law. It's also a wonderful opportunity for all the people who live in the area to get together to discuss a local issue."

Oldfield head-teacher Maggie Red-path says: "This is brilliant news."

The next stage is to research exactly how to convene the Lord's court and its true powers. He intends to visit both Stanbury and Oldfield next month.

Parents' plea, page 9

Readers' Letters, page 10

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